Walked into a tiny bookstore in Portland last weekend and counted 14 people just hanging out reading, no laptops out

The owner told me he hasn't touched social media in 2 years and relies purely on local word of mouth and handwritten newsletters. Has anyone else seen a business actually grow by ignoring digital marketing completely?

3 comments

3 Comments

lopez.quinn22d ago

Those 14 people probably bought more books than your average online customer.

jamesroberts22d ago

That bookstore's doing what a lot of places are forgetting - building a real local reputation beats fighting for attention online. People trust a friend who says "you gotta check this place out" more than any ad or post. It's slower growth for sure but you end up with customers who actually care.

sarah_patel2522d ago

Oh come on, saying a business is "growing" without digital marketing is like saying you're running a marathon without legs. That handwritten newsletter thing sounds cute but it can't scale. I'd bet you walked in on a slow Tuesday and those 14 people were all friends of the owner padding the numbers. Real growth needs real reach, and ignoring social media in 2024 is just stubborn pride.